Ground Improvement

NOTE: This is an abbreviated version of the full Ten Cate press release. We have included the introductory notes and the primary details on the Geosynthetics & Grass division's performance. A link to the full release in PDF is also provided.

NAGS News… During the CGS Annual Meeting (held in Winnipeg, Manitoba from 28 September - 1 October 2003) NAGS will hold a parallel technical session, hold a student competition, host a workshop on erosion control and hold a special afternoon session for women professionals attending the conference. Go to the IGS Newsletter for more. Learn more here.;

Following the press release of 15 November 2010, Ten Cate Geosynthetics Asia announces the successful closing of the acquisition of the geosynthetics activities of Emas Kiara Industries Berhad, a publicly listed company based in Rawang, Malaysia. The completion of this transaction provides TenCate Geosynthetics with a significantly larger position in the supply of geosynthetics solutions to the Southeast Asian markets.

EC Applications (ECA) has been created to provide innovative and efficient environmental construction and erosion control services. Target markets are the solid waste, waste water, agricultural, and potable water industries in North America. ECA is focused on providing excellent service, quality materials and workmanship, and responsiveness to customer needs. The company will supply and install geosynthetics and erosion control products. The company brings together the necessary experience and scale to successfully assure customer satisfaction. ECA combines a highly efficient operating company with personal service. The management team is led by Christopher Fore, President; and Nicolas Gonzalez, Vice President—Construction. Both have nearly 20 years of geosynthetics installation experience and proven ability to successfully establish, grow, and operate a specialty construction firm. To learn more about EC Applications, Inc., visit its website at: www.ecapplications.com

A consortium of innovative Dutch companies, led by Witteveen+Bos and TenCate Geosynthetics, has developed through constructive collaboration the Smart Tailings concept, which aims at managing remnants of pulverized rocks from metal, oil or coal extraction. This waste concerns one of the largest environmental problems in the world. The Smart Tailings concept answers the challenges of large scale rehabilitation assignments with an effective integral remediation design based on enhanced site survey and monitoring techniques. Read more.

By Chris Kelsey – This is Part 1 of 2 of a profile. Part 1, based on an interview with HUESKER North America's first president, Tom Collins, looks at...

A Tampa-area reservoir is showing cracks in the concrete and soil erosion control-lining at the edges. Designers did not want to use riprap. While a state damn inspector is coming to evaluate the site, Tampa water officials intend to fix the cracks with standard grouting. The fabric lining beneath is intact and providing stability in the meantime. Learn more here.;

Registration is now open for Environmental Connection 2011 (EC11), the next annual conference of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA). Don't miss your chance to attend industry-leading education sessions, take advantage of the extensive networking opportunities, and see technologies and service providers in the largest expo of its kind. It's the world's largest soil and water event, and it's taking place 20-23 February 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Register by 10 December 2010 to receive the early-bird registration rate. Learn more here.;

Earlier this month, geosynthetica's role as a media partner to Penton Media's Global Waste Management Symposium was completed as the event unfolded in Copper Mountain, Colorado. It was a marvelous event that touched upon current and future practice through a shrewd mix of presentations from active engineering practices, on-going research, and academia. Also, the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) arranged two fine session on the design, installation and monitoring of engineered berms--a much-needed and much-appreciated dialogue. Read more about the event in Chris Kelsey's review.

On June 28, Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the National Dam Safety Act of 2012, which would reauthorize the National Dam Safety Program (NDSP), first authorized through the Water Resources Development Act of 1996. The NDSP focuses on the safety of the nation's dams by providing vital support for the 50 state dam safety programs. Forty-nine states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have established state dam safety programs; Alabama is the lone exception.

With the aid of MultiView, Inc., the Society of Plastics Engineers has launched a new iPhone app: SPE Mobile. The app is designed to help SPE keep its members connected to the association anytime, anywhere through one convenient portal. App functions include industry product and service searches, weekly news, SPE event information, SPE store and membership information, and easy access to the SPE website.

Quick word out of the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA): John Henderson of Tencate Geosynthetics has been re-elected as Chairman the GMA Executive Council. This will be John's second term. Writes GMA executive director, Andrew Aho, "We appreciate John’s service and look forward to his continued leadership as Chairman." In the past couple years, GMA has made great strides in communication with US Congressional legislators and infrastructure committees. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetica’s Director, Elizabeth Peggs, interviewed Dr. Craig Benson (University of Virginia) and engineer John Allen (CETCO) about coal combustion residuals (CCRs) and new barrier system regulations governing CCR handling...

Sixty-eight road projects in 31 states will receive $93.9 million in Public Lands Highways grant funds to improve access to public lands, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced today. The funds will improve and increase accessibility on the lands of 15 Native American tribes, 11 military bases, 19 national park units, 10 national forests and four national wildlife refuges.

Geosynthetics 2009 will be held 25-27 February 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference theme is "Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering." Areas of focus include shoreline and water protection, conveyance and storage, mining, agriculture, aquaculture, temporary roads and drainage. The deadline for conference paper proposals is June 2. Read more about submitting abstracts, the review process and key dates. Learn more here.;

Ignorance about the details of a key standard for ground engineering could lead to on-site disputes when it becomes effective in April 2010, NCE reports. A lack of training among smaller consultants and a general lack of awareness of the details of Eurocode 7 (EC7) and supporting documents such as execution standards are behind the fears. Learn more here.;

In Folsom, California, naturally occurring asbestos clusters have been found on the grounds of an elementary school and a new high school. The school district and schools have responded with a plan to cap the asbestos zones with geotextiles, clean soil, and erosion control blankets to allow new, healthier vegetation to take root. Read the article in the Folsom Telegraph. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) is pleased to announce the third class of GSI Fellows for the academic year 2010-2011. Four new proposals were approved and three proposals from the previous two years were awarded additional funds to continue research. New proposals includes research regarding temperature effects and shear behavior, vertical drains in railway stabilization, protection of buried pipes in fault zones, and improving water quality and filtration in stormwater runoff. Read more about GSI's fellowship program.

Tensar International has announced that its high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Uniaxial (UX) Geogrid product line successfully completed the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) on-site audit. As the on-site audit was added just last year to the program, Tensar's UX Geogrids are the first HDPE geogrids to pass the rigorous evaluation. Learn more.

The proceedings from Geo-Frontiers 2011 contain 500 papers presented at Geo-Frontiers 2011 in Dallas, Texas, March 13-16, 2011. Geo-Frontiers 2011 included three key events: the ASCE/Geo-Institute Annual Congress, Geosynthetics 2011, and the biennial NAGS Conference. These papers will be of interest to geotechnical researchers and practicing engineers, especially those working with geosynthetic materials. Cost $99 ($79 for IFAI members). Learn more here.;

Summerville, South Carolina-based Thrace LINQ has added Matt Buck as a Market Development Manager in construction and industrial markets for its spunbond nonwoven products. Buck brings more than a...

A sensitive 1.3-mile stretch of road in Ann Arbor is to be closed today. The winding road is surrounded by woods and wetlands. To improve its safety and condition, crews will begin a two year rebuilding project that will use a geogrid wrap on the base. Geogrids allow not only a reduction in the amount of gravel needed in the base but minimize the need for crews to disturb the road shoulders. Learn more here.;

The geogrid-supported road redesign project in Ann Arbor, Michigan that was reported here a couple months ago has been completed. The $3.7 million, 1.3-mile-long Huron River Drive project adopted geogrid reinforcement so that the base could be shallower. This minimized slope disturbance during construction along the scenic route. Learn more here.;

In December 2011, Fiberweb turned its corporate focus to the global geosynthetics and technical fabrics markets. With a long history of material innovation to draw from, Fiberweb has also rebranded its company as "The Next Answer" and redesigned its website.

Machina-TST is one of the fastest-growing geosynthetics companies in Europe. The company has expanded its production space for geogrids, geotextiles, geocomposite reinforcement materials, and turf reinforcement mats. Part of...